It is important to ensure that materials that are used for plumbing installations and repairs, including materials and fittings, are of a suitable standard and are installed safely and correctly. For example, solder that is used for joining copper pipework together for central heating systems and gas supply pipework contains lead and cannot be used to join copper pipework intended for conveying hot and cold water – lead-free solder must be used instead.

Preparing copper pipe for soldering has traditionally involved the use of wire wool to smooth out any burrs. Whilst not illegal, this method can potentially carry the risk of contamination through rust and infiltration of wire wool strands into the pipework. Now, however, responsible plumbing professionals use the Kopex Pipe-prep tool instead.

Copper forms an oxidised coating over time and this can prevent proper contact of joints, whilst burrs and indented metal can mean too little surface area actually reduces the area to make proper contact with. These and other factors like dirt on the metal surface may lead to inconsistent joints and high failure rates and added costs. Pipe-prep solves all these problems, taking less time than conventional pipe cleaning and preparation techniques with the added health and safety advantages. It is a combination tool that deburrs and cleans copper pipe ends. It flattens and smoothes burrs, maintaining the integrity of the material and producing the right shape for subsequent joining.

Details of water fittings and materials that meet the requirements of the Water Regulations form a database called the Water Fittings Directory which is regularly updated by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS).

When he started up MJM Gas Services three years ago, Martin McCormack’s first investment was in a pair of Pipeslice tools, for 15mm and 22mm pipe, to cope with most of his day-to-day work. “Quite apart from the ease of use and the ability to cut pipe in confined spaces, the durability of the Pipeslice is incredible,” he says. “In more than three years of solid use, I have yet to change a cutting blade.” Martin also cites the speed of cutting, without having to screw the blade onto the copper pipe, as a major advantage over other pipe cutters.

So, when he saw the 28mm version available, Martin was one of the first to purchase the product, a decision he celebrated almost immediately. “Despite needing to cut 28mm pipe only occasionally, I recouped the investment on the very first job, saving enough time to pay for the tool,” he enthuses.

With gas and water pipes for central heating, it is important to prepare pipes correctly and consistently for long-lasting joints with integrity and to prevent burrs and material that may restrict flow or even contaminate the system. The introduction of PipePrep, copper pipe preparation tools from Kopex, was another windfall for Martin McCormack. “I saw the product when it won the CORGI award in 2006 and immediately I could see the benefits.”

Martin bought the 15mm and 22mm versions and has saved time and money with reliable preparations that provide excellent joints. He particularly appreciates the PipePrep’s ability to correct out-of-round pipe forms and thus prevent ill-fitting joins, something that could otherwise go unnoticed. “For the price, Kopex Pipe Tools are incomparable, there is nothing like them for reliably and quickly doing the job perfectly every time”.

Cockburn Services of Cheltenham, formed after Ian’s redundancy prompted him to forge a career doing what he enjoyed, has been serving Gloucestershire for almost a quarter of a century. Offering a high quality service, the company strives to leave customers with the best finish and the most efficient, trouble-free systems. He is justifiably proud of his reputation and takes care to ensure that his work is clean, effective and tidy.

Ian has been using Kopex PipeSlice, in 15 and 22mm sizes, for more than ten years. The decision has made a big difference to Ian’s work, making accurate cutting easier and more consistent, with near-elimination of waste due to incorrect pipe lengths and reduction in time taken in rectifying pipe cutting errors. “A precise cut is immensely important for a number of reasons,” says Ian, “With PipeSlice I can position the cutter in exactly the right position and I get a right-angled cut every time.” The introduction, two years ago, of the 28mm PipeSlice drew an initially, and typically, cautious reaction from Ian but he purchased the tool and enthuses, “The 28mm tool is deceptively light but just as accurate as the smaller models.”

His enthusiasm for Kopex Pipe Tools encouraged Ian Cockburn to add the award-winning Pipe-prep to his toolbox. “An efficient cut can leave a sharp edge and a sawn pipe can be misshapen so I saw the potential benefits immediately,” he continues. Pipe-prep is a simple device that, with a few twists of the wrist, removes burrs, contaminants and oxidisation from copper pipe while correcting out-of-roundness and preparing the pipe for joining. “Pipe-prep is a great idea and the biggest advantage, for me, is the improvement of flow and reduction in system noise that you get from smoothing out the edges and corners.” Ian also points to the fact that consistent and accurate pipe joints mean fewer call-outs and improved margins – not to mention happier customers.

His set of Kopex Pipe Tools should, states Mr Cockburn, be ‘a part of every plumbers tool kit’. He believes the brand is one of the few that actually lives up to its reputation. The combination of PipeSlice and Pipe-prep help, more than anything else, to get the job right first time and to leave his Gloucestershire customers satisfied.